Occurrence of uterine carriers for Leptospira interrogans on slaughtered cows

Abstract

Reproductive tract is an important site of infection for chronic leptospirosis and cooperate in pathogenesis of reproductive failure, leading to economic losses. Since serology techniques cannot detect chronic carriers, the molecular analysis of clinical samples is an alternative to detect these animals on livestock. The aim of the present study was to perform a retrospective study in order to detect leptospiral uterine carriers in slaughtered cows. Tissue samples were collected from 50 post-pubertal, nonpregnant cows. These samples were fi xed in 10% bu ff ered formalin, para ffi n-embedded and stored. PCR targeting lip L32 gene and molecular characterization by sec Y sequence was performed. Leptospiral DNA was identi fi ed in 18% (9/50) examined blocks. Two sequences were characterized as L. interrogans . These fi ndings suggest that the presence of infectious leptospires in uterus is associated with the physiopathogenesis of the reproductive failure.